Decision details

To approve the proposed standard for new build council buildings and to review and accept the contents of the Land Use Assessment and allocate parcels of land for insetting purposes.

The Committee considered a report on the Carbon Neutral Programme: Building Standards and Carbon Offset.

In May 2019 Cheshire East Council committed to being a carbon neutral council by 2025 and to influence carbon reduction across the Borough and in May 2020 the Council adopted a Carbon Action Plan which set out how this would be achieved.

Among the recommendations accepted was for the Council to reduce carbon from buildings by adopting the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘excellent’ or equivalent standard for new buildings and to aim for the highest BREEAM standard achievable for refurbished council buildings. 

The Committee unanimously RESOLVED:

1          to approve the adoption of a Cheshire East low carbon build standard for new build and refurbished buildings valued up to £10 million in addition to the reductions planned as part of the Council’s estates transformation project and confirms the adoption of BREEAM Excellent as the standard for all building projects in excess of £10 million.

2          note that Council is planning to plant trees on suitable council owned agricultural land holdings as part of the Carbon Neutral Action Plan 2020-2025 commitment to develop natural climate solutions such as tree planting and peatland management on at least 100ha of Council owned land.

3          note that Council is planning energy insetting projects including two solar arrays under development within the Borough and the need for land to be made available for the delivery of these projects.